"Doctor says it's safe"

I am genuinely curious, how many of you take everything your doctor says as gospel? Do any of you ever wonder about the anti depressants, pain meds etc. that you're given but told it is "safe" ? Doesn't the thought ever cross you minds "maybe not" when you see all the commercials for babies born with severe birth defects due to drugs the mother was taking/prescribed? I mean obviously the mothers of the injured babies thought "hey, this person is a doctor, he knows what he is talking about!" and were taking the anti-depressants (seems like the most common) in hopes of making themselves feel better. And how do you determine what is worth risking baby's health over?

Comments (81)

I definately question or look into everything. I was given medications for bipolar with out the proper testing (yes brain scan and chemical levels are supposed to be done before diagnoses) and it contributed to my throid disease. which I am on meds for the rest of my life for.
This has also caused me to not put/buy food that has chemicals, additives, and preservatives.

I trust very little Doctor's say. I've never trusted or liked Doctor's. Unless something is very, very wrong with me i stay far away from them. I am more careful with everything and more willing to go to the d Doctor's if sunbathing is wing now that I'm pregnant and I'm not just making decisions for my own health, but i'm still wary about Doctor's.

My doc hasn't led me wrong yet I trust him. And when was the last time any of you have seen a commercial of Tylenol causing birth defects? Or tums? Some women are too uptight I will take Tylenol and tums and the antibiotic for uti's and this isnt my first baby.

I take everything my docs say as being "under advisement." ;) Meaning, I consider their viewpoints to be far more informed and educated than mine when it comes to medicine, but I will also research their recommendations and come to my own conclusions. Their input carries a lot of weight, because I fully acknowledge and respect the fact that they have greater expertise and training than I do, so I consider their point of view along with other information I can find in order to make the best possible decisions.

I always consider the source. A doctor is a source I greatly respect, so their input carries more clout, but they are not infallible.

I take it all with a strong dose of logic and common sense. If something rubs me the wrong way, I will look further into it before taking any one person's recommendation, be it my OB, nurse, mother, husband, what-have-you.

Doctors are trained professionals, and I give them credit for that. However, whether a trust a given individual depends on my experience with that person, my respect for theri previous advice, and whether the advice/opinion they are voicing makes sense in the context of the situation.

As a medical pro myself (I'm a vet), I have no problem when a client asks me for more details or asks for time to seek a second opinion or more information on the subject. The only time it really gets frustrating is when, time and again, we get told "oh, but my breeder/guy at PetCo/florist said it was X, so I want you to treat for X" and all the evidence in the world won't sway him/her. (I'm sure an OB gets the same frustration when we take our mom's friend's coworker's advice over his/her advice based on test results and sound medical training!)

If you have a doctor that knows what they are doing when it comes to pain meds, you will more than likely not have a baby with withdrawals. I have to take medicine to even be able to move, and so byslowing and cautiously decreasing the dosage before birth, my children didn't experience withdrawals or have birth defects.

Wanted to add along with the trained professional bit. I know I didn't go to medical school but if your Dr is not giving you info or answering your questions. Sometimes Dr.'s and patients don't mix. There is nothing wrong with finding a Dr that works best with you.

I think taking an antidepressant during pregancy is okay, given that the cicumstances of the mother's depression will put her or her baby at risk. som women become very suicidal during pregnancy (or even all the time) and cant handle the hormonal imbalances that come with growing a child. in that case, if the dr. prescribes medication and this mother doesnt take it, she could end up killing/harming herself and her unborn child.

i was diagnosed with Major Depression at the age of 16. I took drugs every day until the counselor told me that I was emotionally stable enough to start weening my body from them. I havent taken pills since, but i would if i started to feel suicidal again. Because nothing is worse than losing my child/my life.